Local Swim 1922 event focuses on water safety for youth, adults
May 30, 2023
The Iota Omicron Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc, in partnership with City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department and the Greenview Dolphins USA Swim Team will hold its annual Swim 1922 safety day and free swim lessons on Saturday, June 3. The event will be held at Greenview Park, 6700 David Street, Columbia, S.C., from 9.a.m. – 12 p.m.
This free event is open to adults and children and attendees can expect water safety tips, water rescue tips, and the Greenview swim coaches and former Olympic swimmer and sorority member Maritza Correia- McClendon will be there to share her expertise.
Coach Stanley McIntosh and the Greenview Dolphins USA Swim Team have been partnering with IOS and the local Swim 1922 initiative since 2018.
“Having this partnership with Coach McIntosh and the Greenview Dolphins Swim Team is amazing,” said Precious Carter, IOS Swim 1922 chair. “Learning to swim is essential and making sure that everyone has the same opportunity to learn is a must. Seeing the passion that the coaches have when working with the community is a blessing and aligns with purpose of Swim1922.”
Swim 1922 was created to address the unfortunate truth that according to the CDC, approximately 10 people drown every day in the U.S.A. An even more startling fact is that 70 percent of African American children and 60 percent of Hispanic children in the U.S. do not know how to swim. Additionally, African American children are three times more likely to drown than Caucasian children.
Through the partnership with USA Swimming, Sigma Gamma Rho’s Swim 1922 campaign aims to address this disparity by having. Olympians and members of the sorority teach the community about water safety and how to swim. With USA Swimming, Sigma Gamma Rho has touched close to 20,000 lives, directly, with the projection of changing multiple generations to come. Swim 1922 programs are conducted during May-August of the sorority year.
Registration for the event will be available on site. Other partners include the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia City Police Department and members of Jack and Jill of America.
ABOUT SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY, INC.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded by seven educators on November 12, 1922, at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. The sorority has more than 500 chapters in the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Korea, and the U. S. Virgin Islands. Members aim to enhance the quality of life within the community through public service, leadership development, and education of youth. Sigma Gamma Rho addresses concerns that impact society educationally, civically, and economically.
